AMMO, Inc. specializes in producing high-performance ammunition for law enforcement, military, sport shooting, and self-defense. Due to growing market demand, the company needed more production lines. The owners decided to consolidate and build a new facility.

The planning began in January 2021 amidst the pressure of increased production demands and tight timelines. Like many companies, energy efficiency wasn’t initially a top priority. AMMO, Inc. was primarily focused on meeting the booming demand for ammunition while struggling to hire and keep staff. Energy efficiency seemed like a luxury they couldn’t afford to focus on.

AMMO, Inc. reached out to Manitowoc Public Utilities, who connected them with a Focus on Energy Advisor, Kevin Kohlbeck. Reaching out and connecting was all the team at AMMO, Inc. had the capacity to handle. With no prior energy conservation experience, long lead times for materials, and the continuous staffing shortages, AMMO, Inc. didn’t have the bandwidth to even figure out where to begin their energy efficiency journey.

“Kevin’s efforts through the entire project were impressive for our team,” AMMO, Inc.’s Vice President of Operations Jim Mann said. “This project was very eye opening, and we look forward to working with Kevin and the Focus Team in the future.”

Several key challenges AMMO, Inc. faced during the construction of their new facility:

• Limited Knowledge of Energy Efficiency: AMMO, Inc. did not have a grasp of energy conservation and wasn’t initially considering energy-efficient options for their building.
• Short Staff and Time Constraints: With a small team, AMMO, Inc. didn’t have the resources to handle additional considerations like energy-efficient equipment and solutions.
• Paperwork Overload: The company was overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork required to apply for energy efficiency incentives.
• Contractor Discussions: AMMO, Inc. didn’t have time to engage with contractors about incorporating energy-efficient options into the design.
• Supply Chain Challenges: Global supply chain issues and long lead times for equipment further complicated the project.

Their Focus on Energy Advisor’s proactive and hands-on approach removed the barriers.

• Handling Energy Efficiency Research: Kohlbeck took charge of reviewing the proposed equipment for the new facility and made energy-efficient suggestions. By analyzing the equipment specs, he identified opportunities to improve efficiency without disrupting AMMO’s operational timeline.
• Direct Contractor Communication: To save AMMO, Inc. time, the EA worked directly with contractors to discuss energy upgrades. Kohlbeck ensured that energy-efficient equipment was installed and kept Ammo’s team informed along the way, even amidst staffing changes at AMMO, Inc.
• Adapting to Supply Chain Challenges: When the originally planned equipment faced delays due to global supply chain issues, Kohlbeck helped navigate changes to alternative equipment that would still meet energy efficiency goals.
• Managing Paperwork and Incentives: One of the most significant benefits provided was managing all the paperwork required for energy efficiency incentives. From dealing with poorly labeled equipment lists to navigating changes in installed equipment, Kohlbeck worked diligently to ensure AMMO, Inc. would receive the maximum incentives for the project.

"Kevin worked directly with the Trade Allies to identify where energy-efficient equipment could be used, estimate costs and savings, and handle the invoicing and paperwork for the incentives,” Mann said.

Perhaps most importantly, AMMO, Inc.’s experience with Focus on Energy opened their eyes to the long-term benefits of energy conservation. The company now has a positive outlook on incorporating energy-efficient practices into their future projects.

AMMO, Inc.’s experience demonstrates even companies with limited time, staffing, and resources can benefit from energy efficiency projects, especially when they have expert guidance. By working with a Focus on Energy Advisor, AMMO, Inc. was able to build a more efficient facility, save on operational costs, and gain valuable insight into the importance of energy conservation. For companies facing similar challenges, partnering with Focus on Energy offers a practical and effective solution to integrate energy efficiency into their projects, even under tight constraints.